Clothing and Equipment for Hillwalking in Safety              Mike Taylor

Ellon Hillwalking Club does not provide formal training or instruction for members on our monthly walks, nor are our walks "led" by a Club member who takes responsibility for the safety of the group. On any walk, we are responsible for ourselves.
It may, nevertheless, be helpful to some Club members to have some advice on the clothing to be worn and equipment to be carried when hillwalking.
We all have our own ideas about this, so I know I am setting myself up here! Anyway here goes.......

The minimum you should carry in your day sack is :

- Spare Clothing (Type & amount will depend on conditions)
- Hat
- Gloves
- Waterproof Jacket & Trousers
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Food

As many members of the group as seems necessary should also carry:
- Map & Compass
- Torch
- Whistle
- Bivvy Bag

The group should also carry:
- A Group First Aid Kit
- A Group Shelter
- A Rope if appropriate.

Clothing

In general, clothing should be loose fitting and comfortable. The "layer principle" is the usual way of providing warmth whilst retaining the flexibility required in the Scottish climate. Air trapped between layers and within the fibres of the cloth provides insulation:

- an inner layer  absorbs sweat and helps to keep the skin dry and thereby avoid cooling (eg cellular cotton or thermal underwear)

- a middle layer provides most of the insulation (eg wool or fibre pile shirt / top)

- an outer or shell layer keeps wind and water away from the insulating layer (eg Goretex, Sympatex, ventile cotton or Neoprene jacket)

These layers can be added to or removed depending upon the weather and level of exertion.
In very cold weather, more than one insulating layer is likely to be worn, or carried in the rucksack to be used if required, along with a complete layer of thermal underwear.
In summer, shorts and T-shirt may suffice but a jersey / fleece, trousers of some kind, and waterproof jacket should always be carried. It gets colder as you climb and our weather is very changeable.
A hat or gloves / mittens should always be carried and are likely to be worn in winter when a balaclava, or something which protects the ears, and waterproof gloves are preferable.

Footwear

Footwear is obviously very important. Boots should have a flexible cleated rubber "Vibram" type sole, thick enough to prevent sharp stones being felt and to absorb some of the shock of pounding feet. Leather is probably still the best material for the uppers as it is strong and keeps feet reasonably dry unless conditions are very wet. Some of the new lightweight boots are good for summer walking. Boots must be "broken in"; they require a few outings before they mould to our feet.
Gaiters, though not essential, help to keep feet warm and dry in soggy conditions.

Personal Equipment

The equipment required for hillwalking obviously varies to some extent with the nature of the walk.
The following items are usually listed as personal equipment. It may often be that not every member of a group will have all of these items. The group, however, should make certain that it has enough of them to cover all eventualities.

Map and Compass: The nature of our Club is such that there are usually some people on any walk who intend to follow the crowd rather than find their own way. If you don't carry a map and compass or don't know how to use them, make sure that you don't get separated from someone who does!

GPS: Not essential but if you have one make sure you have it with you, you know how to operate it and you have spare batteries.

First Aid Kit: Most people carry basic first aid materials, e.g. plasters for blisters, midge protection, suncream, paracetamol, etc.

Torch: This is obviously more important in winter than in summer, but make sure that you have a spare bulb (if it is not an LED type) and battery - it is surprising how easily it is for the torch to get turned on in your rucksack - it is pointless carrying one if it doesn't work when you want it. A headtorch can be more useful as it points where you are looking and keeps both hands free.

Whistle: For summoning help in an emergency. The international distress signal is six blasts repeated at one minute intervals.

Plastic Bivvy Bag and/or Space Blanket: For keeping warm and dry in an emergency.
Food: An adequate supply of food including some emergency rations should also be regarded as safety equipment.

More Specialist Equipment:
Items such as Ice Axe and Crampons are not essential for most of our regular outings but may be needed on some of the winter ones. However, do remember there is little point in taking these if you do not know how to use them. Take care that you do not wind up with a group carrying this equipment if you do not have it or cannot use it properly.

Group Equipment

There are some additional safety items which it is sensible to carry as group equipment:
- Group First Aid Kit
- Group Shelter (KISU or Field & Trek Bothy)
A group huddled under one of these can keep fairly cosy in very wet and windy conditions.
- A rope; this might be carried by a group under certain conditions (e.g. ridge walks) but again only if someone knows how to use it correctly. 

Club members receive discount on goods at Blacks, Tiso, Nevisport, and  Cotswold Outdoor  in Aberdeen, Craigdon in Aberdeen and Inverurie and Hilltrek in Aboyne.  Remember to bring your membership card.

.